Heat transfer device

ABSTRACT

Device for heat transfer between a first fluid and one second fluid includes a housing with first housing element, second housing element and heat transfer element. Housing is developed with a first connecting fitting and a second connecting fitting for each fluid. Heat transfer element is disposed in a volume completely enclosed in a housing and is developed for through-conduction of the first fluid. Housing is developed for conduction of the second fluid about the heat transfer element. Connecting fittings for second fluid are either disposed on the first housing element and the connecting fittings for the first fluid are disposed on the second housing element, wherein within the second housing at least one flow path for conducting the first fluid is implemented which extends between a connecting fitting and a collector region or the connecting fittings for the fluids are disposed on the first housing element.

This application claims priority from German Patent Application No.102018113341.3 filed on Jun. 5, 2018. The entire contents of theseapplications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to devices for heat transfer between at least onefirst fluid and at least one second fluid, in particular for applicationin a passenger motor vehicle. A device comprises a housing with a firsthousing element and a second housing element as well as a heat transferelement. The housing is in each instance developed with a firstconnecting fitting and a second connecting fitting for each fluid. Theheat transfer element developed for the through-conduction of the firstfluid is disposed in a volume completely enclosed by the housing. Thehousing for conducting the second fluid is herein implemented about theheat transfer element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Heat exchangers of the above described heat transfer class serveprimarily for cooling lost or waste or off-gases, in particular ofinternal combustion engines, into which the fresh air to be supplied tothe combustion process is mixed in order to attain, on the one hand, areduction of the oxygen content. On the other hand, the heat energy ofthe lost or waste or off-gas is also utilized. A heat exchanger of theclass is, for example, also utilized on the suction side of superchargedengines or in connection with fuel cells.

EP 2 014 892 A1 discloses a heat exchanger arrangement with a charge aircooler and a housing. The charge air cooler comprises a heat exchangercore, a header plate, a coolant entry duct and a coolant exit duct. Theheat exchanger core is implemented of heat transfer elements for thethroughflow of a coolant. The housing has the form of a chamber with asingle opening for receiving the heat exchanger core as well as an airentry duct, an air exit duct and a flange. The heat exchanger core isdisposed within the chamber of the housing, wherein the header plate isin contact on the flange of the housing and the heat exchanger core isfixed on the flange of the housing. The header plate closes off theaperture of the chamber of the housing.

In EP 0 285 504 a heat exchanger is described that comprises a two-parthousing with a receiving element and a cover element. The receivingelement comprises connecting fittings for the connections conductingair. The housing encloses a bank of heat exchanger tubes and comprises apassage for the air to be cooled between the connecting fittings of theair. The direction of flow of the air is perpendicular to the directionof the coolant-conducting heat exchanger tubes. The cover element isimplemented as a collector as well as with connecting fittings for thecoolant.

DE 102009055 715 A1 discloses a suction tube with integrated charge aircooler. The suction tube comprises a housing with a first housing partand a second housing part connected thereto. The charge air flows acrossan inlet into the housing and out of the housing across an outlet.Except for passages for through-conducting a coolant, the charge aircooler is completely encompassed by the housing. Through the charge aircooler flows the charge air. The charge air cooler is resiliently stayedwith respect to the housing.

The charge air coolers or off-gas coolers, known in prior art are highlycomplex and include a multiplicity of components, for example punchedparts, such that in particular the heat exchanger core is often verydifficult of fabrication, especially of soldering. The conventionalcoolers are, furthermore, fixed in terms of disposition of connections,in particular for the coolant, and cannot be varied.

The invention addresses the task of providing a device for the efficientheat transfer between two fluids, in particular between a liquid fluidas the coolant and air. With the most compact heat exchanger possible amaximal thermal capacity at minimal overall size or at minimalinstallation space requirement is to be transferable. The heat exchangerto be implemented of a minimal number of components is to be simple ofassembly or mounting and exhibit broad variability in the disposition ofthe connections in order to be readily adaptable to the particularapplication site. The fluids are intended to experience the leastpossible pressure loss during their flow through the heat exchanger. Theheat exchanger, furthermore, is to be of minimal weight as well asrequire minimal production and material costs.

The task is resolved through the subject matters with thecharacteristics described herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The task is resolved through a first device according to the invention,in particular for application in a passenger car, for the heat transferbetween a first fluid and a second fluid. The device comprises a housingwith a first housing element and a second housing element as well as aheat transfer element, and a second housing element as well as with aheat transfer element. The housing is implemented with a firstconnecting fitting and a second connecting fitting for each fluid. Theheat transfer element implemented for the through-conduction of thefirst fluid is disposed in a volume completely enclosed by the enclosedhousing. The housing is thereby implemented for conducting the secondfluid about the heat transfer element.

According to the concept of the invention, the connecting fittings forthe second fluid are disposed on the first housing element and theconnecting fittings for the first fluid are disposed on the secondhousing element. Within the second housing element at least one flowpath for the conduction of the first fluid is developed within thesecond housing element. The at least one flow path extends between aconnecting fitting and a collector region.

The task is also resolved through a device according to the inventionfor the heat transfer between a first fluid and a second fluid, in whichthe connecting fittings for the fluids, specifically for the first fluidand the second fluid, are disposed on the first housing element.

According to the invention, the housing elements are developed as aunitary element with the connecting fittings. The connecting fittings,consequently, represent in each instance a component of a housingelement. The housing elements are advantageously fabricated of asynthetic material, preferably as an injection molded part or of ametal, in particular of an aluminum material.

As the first fluid preferably a coolant, for example water or a mixtureof glycol and water, is employed, while as the second fluid air isconsidered, for example a waste or off-gas of a combustion engine orcharge air. In the specific case the heat transfer element can be acoolant-air heat exchanger, in particular a coolant-cooled charge-aircooler.

The term “coolant” herein does not refer to the exclusive heat transferto the coolant, meaning a “cooling” of the second fluid. The heattransfer is also to be possible from the coolant to the second fluid.

According to a further development of the invention, the at least oneflow path developed within the second housing element extends in a planespanned by the second housing element as well as in a direction of theplane. The second housing element is herein preferably developed as aflat and substantially planar cover element.

The at least one flow path developed within the second housing elementadvantageously has, between the connecting fitting and the collectorregion, a flow cross section that is fully closed over the entireperiphery.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first housingelement is developed in the form of a tub with two longitudinal sides,two end sides connecting the longitudinal sides at the end regions, anda bottom. The first housing element advantageously has a rectangularcross section.

A particular advantage of the invention comprises that the heat transferelement within a volume enclosed by the first housing element isdisposed such that it is oriented in a longitudinal direction andextends from the first end side up to the second end side of the firsthousing element.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, theheat transfer element is developed of adjacent and spaced-apart tubesand side wall members with passage apertures for receiving the tubes.The form of the passage apertures and the outer form of the tubescorrespond to one another. In addition, each tube is disposed such thatit is guided with a first end through a passage aperture developed in afirst side wall member and with a second end is guided through a passageaperture developed in a second side wall member and is connected solidlyand fluid-tight with the side wall member.

The solid connection of the side wall members with the tubes is to beunderstood as a technically tight, zero-leakage connection such thatbetween the tubes and the particular side wall member no additionalsealing parts need to be implemented.

The tubes are advantageously straight-line tubes. The tubes of the heattransfer element can, furthermore, be developed as flat tubes.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the heattransfer element comprises adjacent and spaced-apart plates such thatthe heat transfer element is developed as a plate heat exchanger.

According to a further development of the invention, on a firstlongitudinal side of the first housing element a first connectingfitting is developed as an inlet and on a second longitudinal side ofthe first housing element a second connecting fitting is developed as anoutlet for the second fluid. Alternatively, on a first end side of thefirst housing element a first connecting fitting can be provided as aninlet and on a second end side of the first housing element a secondconnecting fitting can be provided as an outlet for the second fluid.

According to a first alternative embodiment of the invention, on a firstend side of the first housing element a first connecting fitting isdeveloped as an inlet and on a second end side of the first housingelement a second connecting fitting is developed as an outlet for thefirst fluid.

According to a second alternative embodiment of the invention, on afirst end side of the first housing element a first connecting fittingis provided as an inlet as well as also a second connecting fitting asan outlet for the first fluid.

According to a further development of the invention, the side wallmembers are each developed in the form of a rectangular sheet of ametal, in particular of an aluminum material. As sheet is hereinunderstood a flat finished rolling mill product. It is, in addition,advantageous to develop the tubes of the heat transfer element also of ametal, in particular of an aluminum material such that the side wallmembers are connected by soldering in each instance permanently andfluid-tight with the tubes. The side wall members are preferablydisposed such that they are oriented perpendicularly to the tubes.

The side wall members advantageously have trapezoidal areas taperingtoward the bottom of the first housing element.

At an encompassing edge the side wall members comprise a sealing partdeveloped peripherally for sealing the side wall member against thehousing.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first sidewall member of the heat transfer element is disposed in the proximity ofthe first end side of the first housing element and the second side wallmember of the heat transfer element is disposed in the proximity of thesecond end side of the first housing element. Between the first sidewall member and the housing as well as between the second side wallmember and the housing in each instance a volume for a first collectorregion and a second collector region for the first fluid is developed.The open first ends of the tubes open out into the first collectorregion and the open second ends of the tubes open out into the secondcollector region.

The first collector region is advantageously developed between a firstend side of the first housing element and the first side wall member ofthe heat transfer element, while the second collector region isdeveloped between a second end side of the first housing element and thesecond side wall member of the heat transfer element.

According to a further development of the invention, at least within onevolume enclosed as collector region at least one guide part is disposedfor the purpose of subdividing the volume as well as for the specificconduction of the first fluid. The guide part is herein integrated intothe housing element or disposed on the housing element. The collectorregion provided with a guide part can serve as a diversion region or bedeveloped with inlet and outlet, spaced apart from one another, for thefirst fluid as well as be developed for a multi-row flow-through of theheat transfer element. A guide part prevents for example a short-circuitflow of the fluid between the inlet and the outlet of the fluid.

The at least one guide part is advantageously disposed between the sidewall member of the heat transfer element and an inner surface of an endside of the first housing element or of the second housing element,respectively.

The flow through the heat transfer element is advantageously asingle-row or multi-row, in particular two-row, flow and the heattransfer element is scalable in its dimensions, such as length, widthand/or height.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises that ininterspaces of adjacently disposed flat tubes, members are disposed forvarying the flow cross section and/or for enlarging the area for heattransfer, wherein the members are developed of a synthetic material orof a metal, in particular of an aluminum material.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, thehousing includes recesses for receiving the side wall members of theheat transfer element. The recesses are advantageously implemented inthe first housing element as well as also in the second housing element.

The side wall members are preferably developed with a sealing partperipherally encompassing the side wall members at their peripheraledge, each of which sealing part being disposed in a recess of thehousing.

The task is moreover resolved through a second device according to theinvention for the heat transfer between a first fluid and a secondfluid, in particular for application in a passenger car. The devicecomprises a housing with volumes for through-conducting the first andthe second fluid, at least two side wall members as well as amultiplicity of tubes. The side wall members divide the volumes of thehousing into first volumes and a second volume. The tubes extend betweenthe first volumes and form flow paths for conducting the first fluid.

According to the concept of the invention, a multiplicity of passageapertures, in particular for receiving tubes, is provided in thetrapezoidal side wall members.

The housing advantageously comprises a first housing element and asecond housing element.

According to a further development of the invention, the housing isdeveloped, for one, with a first connecting fitting and a secondconnecting fitting, which are connected with a volume for the firstfluid. The housing, for another, comprises a first connecting fittingand a second connecting fitting which are connected with a volume forthe second fluid.

A special advantage of the invention comprises that the connectingfittings for the second fluid are disposed on the first housing elementand the connecting fittings for the first fluid are disposed on thesecond housing element.

The housing is preferably developed with recesses for receiving the sidewall members.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, within the secondhousing element at least one flow path for the conduction of the firstfluid is developed.

A further advantage of the invention comprises that the housing elementsare each developed with a support surface for placing the housingelements next to one another. The support surface of the first housingelement preferably comprises a peripheral groove for receiving a sealingpart. The sealing part is disposed between the adjacently disposedhousing elements.

The heat transfer element, advantageously operable in pure cross flow orpure counterflow or in a combination of cross flow and counterflow, can,according to an embodiment of the invention, be integrated in a coolantcirculation.

In summary, the devices according to the invention for heat transfer, inparticular a coolant-cooled charge air cooler, comprise diverseadvantages:

-   -   efficient heat transfer between two fluids, in particular        between a liquid fluid as coolant and air,    -   transfer of maximal thermal capacity at minimal manufactured        size or minimal installation space requirement, which means at        optimal ratio of transferable thermal capacity to physical        volume, wherein the reutilization or continued utilization of        known components is feasible,    -   high compactness of design and high impermeability between the        fluid flows,    -   minimal number of components,    -   minimal costs of production and minimal material expenditures        also due to use of standard flat tube profiles,    -   high corrosion resistance, in particular when using a housing        developed of a synthetic material,    -   minimal weight and    -   wide variability in the disposition of the fittings integrated        on the housing, in particular of those of the first fluid,    -   simple assembly and/or mounting of the device and simple        connection of individual components of the heat transfer element        by soldering within a soldering furnace in one process step if        the components and parts are implemented of a metal, in        particular of an aluminum material.

Further details, characteristics and advantages of embodiments of theinvention will be evident based on the following description ofembodiment examples with reference to the associated drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A to 1E: a first embodiment of the device with a two-part housingof a first housing element and a second housing element with connectingfittings for the first fluid as well as a heat transfer element indifferent views,

FIGS. 1F and 1G: the first housing element and the second housingelement in perspective view,

FIG. 1H: the heat transfer element in combination with the secondhousing element in perspective view,

FIG. 2: the heat transfer element in perspective view,

FIG. 3A to 3C: a second embodiment of the device with a two-part housingof a first housing element with connecting fittings for the first fluidand a second housing element as well as the heat transfer element indifferent views,

FIG. 4A to 4D: a third embodiment of the device with a two-part housingof a first housing element with connecting fittings for the first fluidand a second housing element as well as a heat transfer element indifferent views, and

FIG. 5: a fourth embodiment of the device with a two-part housing with afirst housing element and a second housing element with connectingfittings for the first fluid as well as a heat transfer element insectional representation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A to 1F depict each a first embodiment of the device 1 a with atwo-part housing with a first housing element 2 a and a second housingelement 3 a with connecting fittings 5 a, 6 a for the first fluid aswell as with a heat transfer element 11 a in different views.

In FIG. 1A is shown the device 1 a in a closed state. The not depictedheat transfer element is disposed within the tub-shaped first housingelement 2 a and within the closed housing. The second housing element 3a, developed as a cover element, in particular developed with a flangeon the first housing element 2 a, corresponding with the first housingelement 2 a comprises a first connecting fitting 5 a as an inlet and asecond connecting fitting 6 a as an outlet for the first fluid. Thesecond housing element 3 a having substantially the form of a flatplate, is oriented with a first side toward the first housing element 2a. The connecting fittings 5 a, 6 a are implemented on a second sideoriented away from the first housing element 2 a. The first fluid, inparticular a coolant, for example a water-glycol mixture, is introducedin the direction of flow 7 through the first connecting fitting 5 a intothe device 1 a and flows out of the device 1 a again through the secondconnecting fitting 6 a. The connecting fittings 5 a, 6 a can bepositioned at any site on the upper side of the second housing element 3a.

The first housing element 2 a comprises a first connecting fitting 8 aas an inlet and a second connecting fitting 9 a as an outlet for thesecond fluid. The connecting fittings 8 a, 9 a are each developed on alongitudinal side of the first housing element 2 a, which, together withthe two longitudinal sides and two end sides connecting the twolongitudinal sides at the ends, has a substantially rectangular crosssection. The second fluid, in particular air, for example a charge airflow or a waste/exhaust flow, is introduced in the direction of flow 10through the first connecting fitting 8 a into the device 1 a and flowsthrough the second connecting fitting 9 a out of the device 1 a again.

The housing elements 2 a, 3 a are developed with the respectiveconnecting fittings 5 a, 6 a, 8 a, 9 a as a unitary element. The housingelements 2 a, 3 a can advantageously be implemented of a syntheticmaterial as an injection molded part with integrated connecting fittings5 a, 6 a, 8 a, 9 a. Because of the unitary implementation of the housingelements 2 a, 3 a and the connecting fittings 5 a, 6 a, 8 a, 9 a,utilization of additional sealing parts that increase the risk ofleakages and lead to additional costs in the production and maintenanceof the device 1 a is avoided.

The pipes, for example coolant pipes of a coolant circulation, forconducting the first fluid can herein be connected to the device 1 a, orthe direction of flow 7 of the first fluid can be oriented, such thatthe inlet 5 a and the outlet 6 a for the first fluid are each suppliedin the reverse direction of flow 7 and the inlet 5 a as well as theoutlet 6 a are interchanged. The pipes for conducting the second fluid,for example air pipes, can be connected to the device 1 a, or thedirection of flow 10 of the second fluid can be oriented such that theinlet 8 a and the outlet 9 a for the second fluid are each supplied inthe reverse flow direction 10 and the inlet 8 a as well as the outlet 9a are interchanged.

The housing elements 2 a, 3 a, preferably implemented of a syntheticmaterial and in contact on one another on a support surface 4 such thatthey are impermeable to fluids, can, for example, be connected with oneanother by welding or adhesion under material closure, under forceclosure by bolting or under form closure by serial snap-fastening.Between the housing elements 2 a, 3 a at least one not depicted sealingpart can be disposed.

In FIG. 1B is shown the device 1 a in a sectional representation througha central plane, oriented horizontally, of the first housing element 2 awith a heat transfer element 11 a, while the device 1 a is depicted inFIG. 1C in an opened state and thus without the second housing element 3a.

The heat transfer element 11 a is oriented so as to extend with amultiplicity of flat tubes 16 in a longitudinal direction from a firstend side 12 a to a second end side 13 a of the first housing element 2a. A first side wall member 14 of the heat transfer element 11 a isdisposed in the proximity of the first end side 12 a of the firsthousing element 2 a and a second side wall member 15 of the heattransfer element 11 a is disposed in the proximity of the second endside 13 a of the first housing element 2 a.

First ends of the flat tubes 16 are guided through passage aperturesdeveloped in the first side wall member 14 and second ends of the flattubes 16 are guided through passage apertures developed in the secondside wall member 15. The flat tubes 16 are each permanently connectedwith the side wall members 14, 15. With the implementation of the sidewall members 14, 15 and the flat tubes 16 of aluminum, the componentsare soldered to one another. The side wall members 14, 15 and the outersides of the flat tubes 16 are connected with one another under fluidicimpermeability.

The second fluid, introduced in the direction of flow 10 through theinlet 8 a into the device 1 a is conducted in the region between theside wall members 14, 15 through the interspaces developed between tubes16 disposed proximate to one another as well as between the flat tubes16 and the inner side of the housing, and therewith across the outersides of the flat tubes 16 and flows through the outlet 9 a out of thedevice 1 a. The second fluid flows about the flat tubes 16.

The first fluid, introduced in the direction of flow 7 through the inlet5 a into the device 1 a, is routed into a first collector region 17. Inthe collector region 17 the mass flow of the first fluid is distributedfor its throughflow through the flat tubes 16 as mass subflows to flowthrough the flat tubes 16. The mass subflows of the first fluid flow outof the flat tubes 16 into a second collector region 18 and are mixedwith one another such that the first fluid flows out of the device 1 athrough the outlet 6 a. The first fluid is conducted through the flattubes.

The first fluid is consequently routed through the device 1 asubstantially in cross flow with the second fluid. The device 1 a isadvantageously operated as a cross-counterflow heat exchanger.

The collector regions 17, 18 for the first fluid are each implemented inthe proximity of the end sides 12 a, 13 a of the first housing element 2a, between the end sides 12 a, 13 a as wall of the housing and the sidewall members 14, 15 of the heat transfer element 11 a. The side wallmembers 14, 15 delimit the collector regions 17, 18 toward the interiorof the volume enclosed by the housing.

The side wall members 14, 15 of the heat transfer element 11 a areherein each disposed in the recesses 19 of the housing. Within therecesses 19 are disposed sealing parts 20 between the wall of thehousing and the side edges of the side wall members 14, 15, encompassingthe side wall members 14, 15 over the entire periphery, such that thefirst fluid flowing into the collector region 17, 18 and the secondfluid flowing through between the side wall members 14, 15 are separatedfrom one another. The recesses 19 and the side edges of the side wallmembers 14, 15 with the sealing parts 20 correspond to one another.

The not depicted second housing element 3 a, to be placed onto thesupport surface 4 of the first housing element 2 a, is also developedwith recesses for receiving the side wall members 14, 15 with thesealing parts 20. The support surface 4 of the first housing element 2 acomprises, in addition, a peripheral groove with a further sealing part21. When placing the second housing element 3 a onto the first housingelement 2 a, 3 a, for one, the housing elements are sealed fluid-tightwith respect to one another and, for another, the side wall members 14,15 with the sealing parts 20 are sealed fluid-tight with respect to thesecond housing element 3 a.

FIG. 1D shows the device 1 a in sectional representation through acentral, vertically oriented plane with the heat transfer element 11 a.The second fluid flows orthogonally to the flat tubes 16 through theinterspaces developed between the flat tubes 16 and through the outlet 9a out of the housing, in particular out of the first housing element 2a. The first fluid is introduced through the inlet 5 a into the secondhousing element 3 a and flows through the flow paths 23, developed inhousing element 3 a, to the first, not depicted, collector region 17.The flow paths 23 extend from the inlet 5 a up to the first collectorregion 17 and are each developed with flow cross sections that areclosed over the full periphery.

In the region of the support surface 4 the second housing element 3 aand the first housing element 2 a are in contact on one another. Betweenthe housing elements 2 a, 3 a the sealing part 21 is disposed. Thehousing elements 2 a, 3 a which, in the assembled state, fully enclose avolume, and the side wall members 14, 15 can be simply plugged togetherand connected with one another.

FIG. 1E shows a detail view of the second collector region 18, of thesecond side wall member 15 and of a flow path 23 developed within thesecond housing element 3 a.

Side wall members 14, 15 are each developed in the form of asubstantially rectangular metal sheet, in particular of aluminum, andcan be produced by punching. The side wall members 14, 15, rounded inthe proximity of the corners, comprise passage apertures 22 forreceiving the flat tubes 16 of the heat transfer element 11 a. The crosssections of the passage apertures 22 correspond to the outer dimensionsof the flat tubes 16 in order to establish, for example by soldering,the fluid-tight connection between the individual flat tubes 16 and theside wall members 14, 15. Each of the flat tubes 16 opens out into thecollector region 17, 18.

The flow paths 23 developed within the second housing element 3 a aredisposed such that they connect a collector region 17, 18 with aconnecting fitting 5 a, 6 a.

FIGS. 1F and 1G depict the first housing element 2 a and, respectively,the second housing element 3 a with the support surfaces 4, each inperspective view. Herein are shown especially clearly the correspondingrecesses 19 for receiving the side wall members 14, 15 of the heattransfer element 11 a.

FIG. 1H depicts the heat transfer element 11 a in combination with thesecond housing element 3 a and FIG. 2 depicts the heat transfer element11 a, each in perspective view.

The heat transfer element 11 a developed from the flat tubes 16 asextruded flat tube heat exchanger is developed as a single-row ormulti-row heat exchanger depending on the capacity requirements and isscalable in terms of size, that is in particular in length or width. Theheat transfer element 11 a depicted in FIGS. 1h and 2 is developed intwo rows.

The flat tubes 16 oriented in two parallel rows next to one another andin parallel with each other, are disposed within each row with theirbroad sides toward one another, such that between directly adjacent flattubes 16 in each instance a flow path for the second fluid, inparticular for air, is generated. The flow path extends herein betweenflat tubes 16 of the first row and subsequently between flat tubes 16 ofthe second row. The flat tubes 16 of the first and the second row areflush with one another and extend in each instance between the two sidewall members 14, 15 or between the two collector regions 17, 18. Theinner volumes of the flat tubes 16 are connected with the inner volumesof the collector regions 17, 18 as well as with the flow paths 23 of thesecond housing element 3 a.

In the flow paths, and therewith in the interspaces of adjacentlydisposed flat tubes 16, furthermore, not depicted members can bedisposed for varying the flow cross section and/or the enlargement ofthe surface for heat transfer. As members for varying the flow crosssection and/or the enlargement of the surface for heat transfer areapplicable fins for conditioning air. Alternatively, webs could also beemployed. The members are developed, for example, of a material withgood thermal conductivity such as aluminum, or of a synthetic materialor another material with low density.

The side wall members 14, 15 are herein soldered to the flat tubes 16.They can however also be adhered or welded to one another. The permanentconnection is to be viewed as a technically tight, zero-leakageconnection such that between the side wall members 14, 15 and the flattubes 16 no sealing sites need to be implemented. The side wall members14, 15 are disposed on the narrow sides of the flat tubes 13 and areoriented perpendicularly to the flat tubes 16 and, to facilitate theemplacement and sealing of the heat transfer element 11 a into thehousing elements 2 a, 3 a, have trapezoidal side faces. The trapezoidalside faces taper toward the bottom of the first housing element 2 a.

The side wall members 14, 15 are each provided with the encompassingsealing part 20 and, according to FIG. 1h , are connected with thebroader side face within the recess 19 with the second housing element 3a.

The heat transfer element 11 a is developed so as to be symmetric withthe side wall members 14, 15 and the flat tubes 16.

In each of FIG. 3A to 3C is shown in different views a second embodimentof the device 1 b with a two-part housing comprised of a first housingelement 2 b and a second housing element 3 b with connecting fittings 5b, 6 b for the first fluid as well as with a heat transfer element 11 a.

The differences between them and the first embodiment of device 1 aaccording to FIG. 1a to 1h lie in the implementation of the firsthousing elements 2 a, 2 b and the second housing elements 3 a, 3 b, inparticular in the implementation of the connecting fittings 5 a, 5 b, 6a, 6 b of the first fluid. In the case of same implementation of thecharacteristics, reference is made to explanations in connection withthe device from FIG. 1a to 1 h.

In FIG. 3A is evident the device 1 b in a closed state, wherein the notdepicted heat transfer element is disposed within the housing of thetub-shaped first housing element 2 b and within the closed housing.

In FIG. 3B is shown the device 1 b in a sectional representation througha central, horizontally oriented plane of the first housing element 2 bwith the heat transfer element 11 a, while the device 1 b in FIG. 3C isdepicted in an opened state and thus without the second housing element3 b.

The heat transfer elements of the devices 1 a, 1 b are identical. Thesecond housing element 3 b, developed as a cover element, correspondingwith the first housing element 2 b, in particular with a flangeimplemented on the first housing element 2 b, is substantially developedas a planar plate without connecting fittings and flow paths for thefirst fluid, however with recesses 19 for receiving the side wallmembers 14, 15 of the heat transfer element 11 a.

In addition to the first connecting fitting 8 a as an inlet and thesecond connecting fitting 9 a as an outlet for the second fluid, whichare developed on a longitudinal side of the first housing element 2 b,the first housing element 2 b comprises also a first connecting fitting5 b as an inlet and a second connecting fitting 6 b as an outlet for thefirst fluid. The first connecting fitting 5 b and the second connectingfitting 6 b for the first fluid are each developed on an end side 12 b,13 b. The first fluid is introduced in the direction of flow 7 throughthe first connecting fitting 5 b into the device 1 b and flows throughthe second connecting fitting 6 b out of the device 1 b again.

The connecting fittings 5 b, 6 b disposed on an end side 12 b, 13 b areherein connected directly with a collector region 17, 18, which isespecially evident in FIGS. 3b and 3c . The first housing element 2 b isdeveloped with the connecting fittings 5 b, 6 b, 8 a, 9 a as a unitaryelement, advantageously of a synthetic material as an injection moldedpart.

The first fluid, introduced in the direction of flow 7 through inlet 5 bdirectly into the first collector region 17, for its throughflow throughthe flat tubes 16 is distributed in mass subflows through the flat tubes16. The mass subflows of the first fluid flow out of the flat tubes 16into the second collector region 18 and are mixed with one another andled off directly through the outlet 6 b out of device 1 b.

In FIG. 4A to 4D is shown in each instance a third embodiment of thedevice 1 c with a two-part housing comprised of a first housing element2 c and a second housing element 3 c with connecting fittings 5 c, 6 cfor the first fluid as well as of a heat transfer element 11 c indifferent views.

The differences between this embodiment and the second embodiment ofdevice 1 b according to FIGS. 3a to 3c lie in the implementation of thefirst housing elements 2 b, 2 c, in particular in the implementation ofthe connecting fittings 5 b, 5 c, 6 b, 6 c of the first fluid. In thecase of same implementation of the characteristics, reference is made tothe explanations in connection with device 1 b of FIGS. 3a to 3 c.

FIG. 4A depicts the device 1 c in a closed state, wherein the notdepicted heat transfer element is disposed within the tub-shaped firsthousing element 2 c and within the housing. In FIG. 4B the device 1 c isshown in a sectional representation through a central, horizontallyoriented plane of the first housing element 2 c with the heat transferelement 11 c, while the device 1 c in FIG. 4C is shown in an openedstate and thus without the second housing element 3 c. In FIG. 4D isevident a sectional representation of the device 1 c.

In addition to the first connecting fitting 8 a as an inlet and thesecond connecting fitting 9 a as an outlet for the second fluid, whichare in each instance developed on a longitudinal side of the firsthousing element 2 c, the first housing element 2 c comprises also afirst connecting fitting 5 c as an inlet and a second connecting fitting6 c as an outlet for the first fluid. The first connecting fitting 5 cand the second connecting fitting 6 c for the first fluid are developedon the first end side 12 c. The second end side 13 c does not compriseany connecting fitting. The first fluid is introduced in the directionof flow 7 through the first connecting fitting 5 c into the device 1 cand flows through the second connecting fitting 6 c out of the device 1c again.

The connecting fittings 5 c, 6 c disposed on the first end side 12 c aredirectly connected with the first collector region 17, which isespecially clearly shown in FIGS. 4b and 4c . The first housing element2 c is developed with the connecting fittings 5 c, 6 c, 8 a, 9 a as aunitary element advantageously of a synthetic material as an injectionmolded part.

Within the collector regions 17, 18, guide parts 24 are implementedwhich divide the volumes of the collector regions 17, 18. Within thefirst collector region 17 two guide parts 24 are disposed, while withinthe second collector region 18 one guide part 24 is provided. The guidepart 24 disposed within the second collector region 18 divides thevolume of collector region 18 into two regions of equal volume. Theguide parts 24 disposed within the first collector region 17 divide thevolume of collector region 17 into two regions of equal smaller volumesand one region with a larger volume. The smaller volumes togethercorrespond herein approximately to the volume of the larger region.

The guide parts 24 developed between the side wall members 14, 15 of theheat transfer element 11 c and the inner faces of the end sides 12 c, 13c of the first housing element 2 c serve for the specific conduction ofthe first fluid through the flat tubes 16 of the heat transfer element11 c.

The heat transfer element 11 c developed from the flat tubes 16 asextruded flat tube heat exchanger is implemented as a four-row element.The flat tubes, disposed in parallel rows next to one another andoriented parallel to one another, are disposed within each row withtheir broad sides toward one another such that between directly adjacentflat tubes 16 in each instance a flow path for the second fluid, inparticular for air, is generated. The flow path extends herein in eachinstance between flat tubes 16 of the first row, subsequently betweenflat tubes 16 of the second row, of the third row and finally of thefourth row. The flat tubes 16 of the individual rows are flush with oneanother and extend in each instance between the two side wall members14, 15 or the two collector regions 17, 18. The inner volumes of theflat tubes 16 are connected with the inner volumes of the collectorregions 17, 18.

The first fluid flows through the inlet 5 c in the direction of flow 7into the device 1 c and is distributed in the first collector region 17,in particular in one of the smaller volumes, over the flat tubes 16 ofthe first row. The refrigerant subsequently flows through the flat tubes16 to the second collector region 18 and into a first part of thedivided volume of the second collector region 18, is collected anddistributed over the flat tubes 16 of the second row. The first fluidflows subsequently through the flat tubes 16 of the second row back tothe first collector region 17, in particular into the larger volume, iscollected and distributed over the flat tubes 16 of the third row. Therefrigerant subsequently flows through the flat tubes 16 again to thesecond collector region 18 and into a second part of the divided volumeof the second collector region 18, is collected and distributed over theflat tubes 16 of the fourth row. The first fluid flows subsequentlythrough the flat tubes 16 of the fourth row back to the first collectorregion 17 and into a third part of the divided volume of the firstcollector region 17, in particular into one of the smaller volumes, iscollected and flows through outlet 6 c out of the device 1 c.

In FIG. 5 is shown in a sectional representation a fourth embodiment ofthe device 1 d with a two-part housing comprised of a first housingelement 2 d and a second housing element 3 d with connecting fittings 5d, 6 d for the first fluid as well as a heat transfer element 11 d.

The differences between this fourth embodiment and the embodiment of thedevice 1 a according to FIGS. 1a to 1h lie in the implementation of thefirst housing elements 2 a, 2 d and the second housing elements 3 a, 3 dwith the implementation of the connecting fittings 5 a, 5 d, 6 a, 6 d ofthe first fluid as well as the connecting fittings 8 a, 8 d, 9 a, 9 d ofthe second fluid. In the case of same implementation of thecharacteristics, reference is made to the explanations in connectionwith the device 1 a of FIG. 1a to 1 h.

The first housing element 2 d is divided in a center plane and is joinedat the center plane during the assembly of the device 1 d after the heattransfer element 11 d has been emplaced. The second housing element 3 d,corresponding as a cover element to the first housing element 2 d, inparticular with a flange developed on the first housing element 2 d,comprises the first connecting fitting 5 d as an inlet and the secondconnecting fitting 6 d as an outlet for the first fluid. The secondhousing element 3 d having substantially the form of a flat plate isoriented with a first side toward the first housing element 2 d. Theconnecting fittings 5 d, 6 d are developed on a second side facing awayfrom the first housing element 2 d. The first fluid is introduced in thedirection of flow 7 through the first connecting fitting 5 d into thedevice 1 d and flows through the first connecting fitting 5 d into thedevice 1 d and out of device 1 d again through the second connectingfitting 6 d.

The first housing element 2 d comprises the first connecting fitting 8 das an inlet and the second connecting fitting 9 d as an outlet for thesecond fluid. The connecting fittings 8 d, 9 d are each developed on anend side of the first housing element 2 d, which, with two longitudinalsides and the two end sides connecting the two longitudinal sides at theends, has substantially a rectangular cross section. The second fluid isintroduced in the direction of flow 10 through the first connectingfitting 8 d into the device 1 d and flows through the second connectingfitting 9 d again out of the device 1 d.

The housing elements 2 d, 3 d are implemented with the particularconnecting fittings 5 d, 6 d, 8 d, 9 d in each instance as a unitaryelement, advantageously of synthetic material as an injection moldedpart with integrated connecting fittings 5 d, 6 d, 8 d, 9 d.

The housing elements 2 d, 3 d fluidically impermeable in contact on oneanother on the support surface 4 are connected with one another underform closure, for example by peripheral snap-fixing. Between the housingelements 2 d, 3 d at least one not depicted sealing part can bedisposed.

The heat transfer element 11 d, developed as a plate heat exchanger,extends with a multiplicity of plate members in a longitudinal directionfrom the first end side 12 d up to the second end side 13 d of the firsthousing element 2 d. The inner volumes of the plate members areconnected across a first collector region 17 and a second collectorregion 18 with the connecting fittings 5 d, 6 d of the first fluid suchthat the first fluid is routed through the connecting fittings 5 d, 6 d,the collector regions 17, 18 and the plate members.

The second fluid is routed through the interspaces developed betweenadjacently disposed plate members as well as between the plate membersand the inner side of the housing and thus across the outer sides of theplate members. The second fluid flows about the plate members.

Alternatively, the interspaces developed between the plate membersdisposed on the outer side and the inner side of the housing can befoamed to avoid leakages, in particular leakages of the air. The foamingof the interspaces serves for eliminating soldering tolerances.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   1 a, 1 b, 1 c, 1 d Device-   2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 2 d First housing element-   3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d Second housing element-   4 Support surface, housing elements-   5 a, 5 b, 5 c, 5 d First connecting fittings, inlet first fluid-   6 a, 6 b, 6 c, 6 d Second connecting fittings, outlet first fluid-   7 Direction of flow, first fluid-   8 a, 8 d First connecting fittings, inlet second fluid-   9 a, 9 d Second connecting fittings, outlet second fluid-   10 Direction of flow, second fluid-   11 a, 11 c, 11 d Heat transfer element-   12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 12 d First end side, housing-   13 a, 13 b, 13 c, 13 d Second end side, housing-   14 First side wall member, heat transfer element-   15 Second side wall member, heat transfer element-   16 Flat tube-   17 First collector region, first fluid-   18 Second collector region, first fluid-   19 Recess, housing-   20 Sealing part, side wall member 14, 15, housing element-   21 Sealing part, housing elements 2, 3-   22 Passage aperture, side wall member 14, 15-   23 Flow path, first fluid-   24 Guide part

What is claimed:
 1. A device for heat transfer between at least onefirst fluid and one second fluid, comprising a housing with a firsthousing element and a second housing element, wherein the housing isimplemented with one first connecting fitting and a second connectingfitting for each fluid, a heat transfer element, which is developed forthrough-conduction of the first fluid and is disposed in a volumecompletely enclosed by the housing, wherein the housing is implementedfor conducting the second fluid about the heat transfer element, whereinthe connecting fittings for the second fluid are disposed on the firsthousing element and the connecting fittings for the first fluid aredisposed on the second housing element and that within the secondhousing element at least one flow path for conducting the first fluid isimplemented, wherein the at least one flow path extends between aconnecting fitting and a collector region, or the connecting fittingsfor the fluids are disposed on the first housing element, wherein thehousing elements with the connecting fittings are in each instancedeveloped as a unitary element; wherein the heat transfer element isdeveloped of adjacently disposed and spaced-apart tubes and side wallmembers with passage apertures for receiving the tubes, wherein the formof the passage apertures and the outer form of the tubes correspond toone another and each tube is disposed with a first end guided through apassage opening developed in a first side wall member and with a secondend guided through a passage aperture developed in a second side wallmember as well as permanently and fluidically tight connected with theside wall member.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the at leastone flow path developed within the second housing element is developedsuch that it extends in a plane spanned by the second housing element aswell as in a direction of the plane.
 3. A device according to claim 1,wherein the at least one flow path developed within the second housingelement has between the connecting fitting and the collector region hasa fully closed flow cross section over the entire periphery.
 4. A deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the first housing element is developed inthe form of a tub with two longitudinal sides, two end sides, connectingthe longitudinal sides at the end regions, and a bottom.
 5. A deviceaccording to claim 4, wherein the heat transfer element within a volumeenclosed by the first housing element is disposed in an orientation suchas to extend in a longitudinal direction from the first end side to thesecond end side of the first housing element.
 6. A device according toclaim 1, wherein the tubes of the heat transfer element are developed asflat tubes.
 7. A device according to claim 4, wherein at a firstlongitudinal side of the first housing element a first connectingfitting and at a second longitudinal side of the first housing element asecond connecting fitting for the second fluid are developed.
 8. Adevice according to claim 4, wherein at a first end side of the firsthousing element a first connecting fitting and at a second end side ofthe first housing element a second connecting fitting for the firstfluid are developed.
 9. A device according to claim 4, wherein at afirst end side of the first housing element a first connecting fittingand a second connecting fitting for the first fluid are implemented. 10.A device according to claim 1, wherein the side wall members are eachdeveloped in the form of a rectangular sheet of a metal, in particularof an aluminum metal.
 11. A device according to claim 10, wherein theside wall members have trapezoidal areas which are developed taperingtoward a bottom of the first housing element.
 12. A device according toclaim 1, wherein the side wall member at an encompassing edge comprisesan encompassing sealing part for sealing the side wall member againstthe housing.
 13. A device according to claim 1, wherein the tubes of theheat transfer element are developed of a metal, in particular of analuminum metal, and the side wall members are each permanently andfluidically tight connected with the tubes.
 14. A device according toclaim 1, wherein a first side wall member of the heat transfer elementis disposed in the proximity of the first end side of the first housingelement and a second side wall member of the heat transfer element isdisposed in the proximity of the second end side of the first housingelement, wherein between the first side wall member and the housing aswell as between the second side wall member and the housing in eachinstance a volume for a first collector region and a second collectorregion for the first fluid is developed and open first ends of the tubesopen out into the first collector region and open second ends of thetubes open out into the second collector region.
 15. A device accordingto claim 1, wherein between a first end side of the first housingelement and a first side wall member of the heat transfer element afirst collector region as well as between a second end side of the firsthousing element and a second side wall member of the heat transferelement a second collector region is developed.
 16. A device accordingto claim 14, wherein within the at least one volume enclosed as acollector region at least one guide part for subdividing the volume aswell as for the specific conduction of the first fluid is disposed. 17.A device according to claim 16, wherein the at least one guide part isdisposed between the side wall member of the heat transfer element andan inner surface of an end side of the first housing element.
 18. Adevice according to claim 1, wherein the housing is developed withrecesses for receiving the side wall members of the heat transferelement.
 19. A device according to claim 18, wherein the recesses aredeveloped in the first housing element and in the second housingelement.
 20. A device according to claim 18, wherein the side wallmembers are each disposed with a sealing part, developed encompassingthe encompassing edge, in a recess of the housing.
 21. A device for heattransfer between at least one first fluid and one second fluid,comprising a housing with a first housing element and a second housingelement, wherein the housing is implemented with one first connectingfitting and a second connecting fitting for each fluid, a heat transferelement, which is developed for through-conduction of the first fluidand is disposed in a volume completely enclosed by the housing, whereinthe housing is implemented for conducting the second fluid about theheat transfer element, wherein the connecting fittings for the secondfluid are disposed on the first housing element and the connectingfittings for the first fluid are disposed on the second housing elementand that within the second housing element at least one flow path forconducting the first fluid is implemented, wherein the at least one flowpath extends between a connecting fitting and a collector region, or theconnecting fittings for the fluids are disposed on the first housingelement, wherein the housing elements with the connecting fittings arein each instance developed as a unitary element, wherein the housingelements are each developed with a support surface for the adjacentplacement of the housing elements, wherein the support surface of thefirst housing element comprises an encompassing groove for receiving asealing part and the sealing part is disposed between the adjacentlydisposed housing elements.